Social Worker: Substance Abuse

About the role

The Department of Social Development (Western Cape) is hiring a Social Worker: Substance Abuse, based in Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government.. This is a permanent post, paying R338,208 to R397,668 a year. How to apply: Only applications submitted online will be accepted. To apply submit your application online only: via http://www.westerncape.gov.za/jobs or https://westerncapegov.erecruit.co Reference number to quote: DSD 122/2026 Closing date: 30 November 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV.

Responsibilities

• Render a social work service with regard to the care, support, protection and development of vulnerable individuals, groups, families, communities and organisations through the relevant programmes, Attend to any other matters that could result in, or stem from, social instability in any form, This would include the following actions, New application (Pre funding):On-Site Monitoring, Monitoring NPOs compliance against signed Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA), Evaluate NPOs compliance against Legislative, Programme Specific and Generic Norms and Standards, Case Work, Telephonic, Ministerial complaints process, Rapid response following complaint/enquiries about NPOs, or a concern raised by a programme, Ensure compliance with registration requirements of NPO’s (regulatory frameworks), Ensure compliance in terms of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008, Continuous Professional Development, Keep up to date with new developments in the social work and social welfare fields, Perform all the administrative functions required of the job.

Requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work) that allows professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as Social Worker, Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as a Social Worker, Grade 1: No experience, Grade 2: at least 10 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, Grade 3: at least 20 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, Grade 4: at least 30 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.
• Competencies
• Knowledge of the following: Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 and related legislative frameworks
• National Drug Master Plan and relevant policy guidelines
• Minimum Standards for Inpatient and Out-patient substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation services
• Key national and provincial mandates for substance abuse prevention
• Early intervention, and community-based treatment
• Drug Master Plan 2019 to 2024
• Norms & Standards for Substance Abuse Programmes
• Competent and Knowledgeable in various M&E frameworks, Supervision Framework for Social Workers, Human behaviour and social systems and skills to intervene at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote social well-being, Social work theory and interventions, Information and Knowledge Management, Protocol and professional ethics, Relevant legislations, policies and prescripts (norms and standards), Social dynamics, work values and principles, Developing and empowering others.
• Skills in the following
• Challenge structural sources of poverty
• Inequality
• Oppression
• Discrimination and exclusion
• Written and verbal communication
• Report-writing
• Selfmanagement
• Motivation
• Good planning and organizing
• Problem solving and analytical
• Computer literacy
• Presentation and facilitation
• Client orientation and customer focus
• Ability and competence to assist
• Develop
• Advocate for, and empower individuals
• Families
• Groups
• Organisations and communities to enhance their social functioning and their problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to promote
• Restore
• Maintain
• Advocate for and enhance the functioning of individuals